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"Excellent improvement to the original Gilson Microman; particularly in user comfort (fits more easily in the hand, better suited to extended use). The new volume lock is also very good, stops any drift while in use."

Fluidigm recently unveiled the details of its new C1™ Single-Cell AutoPrep System to attendees at the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) meeting in Yokohama, Japan. The C1 System, based on Fluidigm's innovative microfluidic technology, enables a researcher to isolate and process individual cells rapidly and reliably for genomic analysis. A researcher can isolate cells, extract RNA, and then reverse transcribe and preamplify mRNA transcripts automatically to enable detection and analysis of cell activity. The C1 System will be introduced in Europe at the European Human Genetics (ESHG) conference in Nuremberg, Germany, starting June 23, 2012. Stem cell, cancer and immunology research are expected to be the initial focus applications for the C1 System.

As part of its activities at ISSCR, Fluidigm also announced the start of its Early Access Program for the C1 System. The C1 System has been specifically designed to work seamlessly with the BioMark HD System to enhance the workflow and reliability of data for scientists studying single-cell genomics. The Early Access Program allows select customers the opportunity to receive the first commercial shipments during the second half of 2012 before shipment to the broader group of customers. In addition to being the first to utilize the new technology, Early Access Program partners will be provided with no-cost startup consumables, participate in the development of new platform capabilities, and receive pre-market access to future platform expansions. Researchers interested in the Early Access Program can register at www.fluidigm.com/c1system.

"The new C1 Single-Cell AutoPrep System handles, separates and prepares individual single cells for genetic analysis. We are very excited about the commercial release of the C1, for we believe it will enable single-cell research on a broad scale that will in turn make profound contributions to numerous fields in biology," said Gajus Worthington, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fluidigm. "Though the C1 represents a major advance in single-cell genomics, we are at the beginning of what we can do together with the scientific community. Ultimately, the C1 System will allow researchers to study cell differentiation, measure individual cell responses to specific stimuli, verify critical disease biomarkers, validate RNAi knockdown, and sequence individual cells," Worthington concluded.

The C1 System workflow is initiated by loading a sample of cells in solution into the C1 microfluidic chip in a single pipetting step, then directing the C1 System to rapidly and automatically isolate up to 96 individual cells into individual chambers for preparation. After loading, researchers can choose an "in-process" quality control checkpoint to verify the number of captured cells and distinguish live from dead cells to preserve data integrity. The workflow then proceeds with a rapid "on-chip" cell lysis without RNA purification, reverse transcription, and preamplification without hands-on reagent mixing and sample transfer. The final preamplified cDNA product is thereafter harvested to collection wells for transfer to the BioMark HD System for quantitative PCR analysis.

The C1 Single Cell AutoPrep System includes the C1 Single-Cell AutoPrep System, the C1 Single-Cell AutoPrep Array chip and the C1 Single-Cell AutoPrep Reagent Kit. The C1 Single-Cell AutoPrep System provides breakthrough bench-top automation of isolation, lysis and preamplification performed on single cells, the C1 Single-Cell AutoPrep Array chip facilitates capture and highly paralleled preparation of up to 96 individual cells and the C1 Single-Cell AutoPrep Reagent Kit is a pre-formulated "ready to use" reagent kit that supports cell suspension, lysis and purification.